The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-28
THREE STATE CONVENTIONS.

1uhu1 O1A1h JUN LIN 11ONNs
Three of our Western State Conven-
tions will hold their annual sessions
within the next fortnight. These are,
in order, Ohio, Wisconsin and Mime
sofa. Ohio meets at North Lewisburg,
June g; Wisconsin, at La Crosse, June
Z; and Minnesota, at Anoka, the same
week. In Ohio and Minnesota, Sun
day-school conventions precede the an.
nual gathering of the churches. The
programs of Ohio and Wisconsin have
been already published; this week we
print the program of the Sunday-school
meeting in Ohio. The Minnesota pro-
gram will probably reach us in season
for our next issue.
The Executive Committees of these
Conventions have done all in their
power to make the coming sessions
pleasant and profitable. The churches
with whom the meetings are to be held
have rendered abundant hospitality,
and visiting friends are sure of hearty
welcome. 1t now remains for the par
ishes to elect their delegates and see
that they are properly represented at
the annual gathering. We sincerity
trust that this duty will not be neglect
ed. The constituency of our Western
Conventions is limited at best, and neg
lect to send delegates bears unfavorably
ON the personnel of the Conventions.
The theory of the State Convention is
that the parishes meet by regularly ap-
pointed delegates to consider the bust
ness affairs of the church, and to adopt
such measures as will advance the in
terests of Universalism in the State
during the incoming year. 1t sometimes
happens, by the neglect Of the parishes
to send delegates, that this work is
left to the care of the pastors in attend
anc and the delegates from few of
the parishes, and is not properly rep
resentative of the church in the State.
This is not the fault of the system or
of the pastors; but arises from sheer
neglect ON the part of the parishes to
exercise their constitutional privileges.
1t is also the occasion of Indifference to
the general State work during the
year. Parishes that neglect their priv
ilege of representation in the State body
are very likely to lose interest in the
general work and to feel no special re-
sponsibility for the action of the Con-
vention; thus the work is impeded and
unity of action destroyed.
Every parish in the fellowship Of the
Convention of the State should take
pride in being represented in the coun-
ellis of the body. The best men and
women should be elected as delegates
and their attendance secured. Gener-
ally little attention to this matter, a
week or two before the meeting, will
secure delegates who will suitably rep
resent the parish. In case delegates
are not in a condition to pay their own
expenses, the parish should see that an
appropriation or collection is made for
this purpose. Every parish should make
it point of honor to be represented at
the annual Convention and to cheer
their fellowbelievers by presence and
counsel.
We trust that these suggestions will
be needed by our Western parishes, and
that the June Conventions Of the pres
emit year may witness an increase in in
terest and attendance among the par
ish delegations. Attention to this mat
ter is absolutely needed to increase the
efficiency and usefulness of the annual
meetings.
Those who attend the coming Con-
ventions are sure of an enjoyable series
of meetings. The programs, SO far as
reported, are unusually attractive. The
topics to be discussed are of a general
and special interest, and good speakers
dIu WiAeOAo oAO W SifO OuOlI UoSb
thoughts to their consideration. The
praise and conference meetings and the
sermons will meet the wants of many
who may not be so largely interestedin
the business discussions. We urge upon
the members of our organized churches,
and those who do not enjoy the privilege
of regular services, in the three States
of Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota, to
remember the June Conventions, and
to be present, in large numbers, pre-
pared to enjoy the ''feast of fat things''
which these Conventions provide.
FOX RIVER ASSOCIATION.